Buchholz returns as Red Sox silence Rays

Sep 11, 2013 - 6:56 AM
St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Clay Buchholz tossed five scoreless
innings in his first start in more than three months, and the Boston Red Sox
shut down the Tampa Bay Rays, 2-0, in the opener of a three-game series.

Buchholz (10-0) returned to the mound for the first time since June 8 and gave
up three hits and one walk with six strikeouts. The 29-year-old right-hander
had been sidelined by neck stiffness, but picked up right where he left off
and won his fourth consecutive start dating back to May 22.

"To see him walk to the mound, I think it gave everybody a boost in
confidence," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of Buchholz.

Koji Uehara continued his recent string of dominance by posting a four-out
save, his 19th of the season.

Jonny Gomes and Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove in runs for the Red Sox, winners
in six of their last seven and owners of an 8 1/2-game lead over their Tuesday
foes in the AL East.

David Price (8-8) fared well in defeat, allowing only two runs on three hits
with nine strikeouts over eight full frames, for the Rays, who have lost four
of five.

"We've got 19 games left, so you go now or we won't be hanging around in
October," Price said.

Tampa Bay is locked in a battle with Texas, which is hosting Pittsburgh, for
the top spot in the AL wild card race.

Buchholz was in control throughout, leaving with a 2-0 lead after retiring
six of the final seven batters he faced. Craig Breslow then tossed two
scoreless frames.

Junichi Tazawa entered in the eighth and retired the first two batters before
Yunel Escobar doubled off the wall in left center. Uehara was called on and
retired Wil Myers on a pop out in foul territory up the first-base line.

The Japanese sensation worked his 31st consecutive scoreless frame in the
ninth, setting down all three Rays.

The Red Sox broke through in the fifth. Mike Napoli led off with a double to
center which was inches away from being a home run, then scored when Gomes
followed with a base hit. Daniel Nava sacrificed him to third and a
Saltalamacchia fly to right made it 2-0.

Game Notes

The Red Sox lead the season series 11-6, and have taken five of seven on
Florida's Gulf Coast ... Buchholz threw 74 pitches, 44 for strikes, while
Price was removed after 127 pitches and 92 for strikes ... The clubs combined
for eight hits, four per side.

KingHockeyMan Damn good game! The BOSOX must maintain winning w/out Ellsbury till 1st week or so of Oct.. Otherwise they are healthy! Goes to show ya, Big $ players are useless w/out the correct mind set & attitude! PEACE!

KingHockeyMan I feel the Rays are playing for the "wild-card" scenario. Winning their division is just about gone. This 3 game series will be a slug-fest for sure. I live 50 miles south of Boston. GO BOSOX!....PEACE!